Anvil! The Story of Anvil is a documentary film about the Canadian heavy metal band, Anvil, who formed in 1978.

It’s directed by screenwriter Sacha Gervasi, whose previous credits include The Big Tease (which he cowrote with Craig Ferguson) and The Terminal (which starred Tom Hanks and was directed by Steven Spielberg).

Gervasi first met Anvil on September 21st, 1982, after a gig at The Marquee Club in London. He introduced himself to the band as “England’s number one Anvil fan.” He subsequently became a roadie for the band on their ‘82, ‘84 and ‘85 tours, and was given the nickname “teabag” by the band.

He reunited with Anvil after a break of 20 years, and started shooting a rockumentary about them in November 2005.

The film premièred at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2008, and won Audience Awards at the 2008 Sydney Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival and Galway International Film Festival.

The film has been nominated in the “Truer Than Fiction” category of Film Independent’s 2009 Independent Spirit Awards. The award recognizes emerging directors of non-fiction films.

Since its first season VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show has supported the film and on March 28, 2009 Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner were the show’s featured guests.

It was picked up for distribution in the US by MTV, and will open on limited release on April 10, 2009. The band will also go on the road with the film starting April 7th for what has been dubbed The Anvil Experience.

Directed by Sacha Gervasi

Produced by
Sacha Gervasi, Lauren McClard, Dana Sano, Christopher Soos, Rebecca Yeldham

Music by David Norland
Cinematography Christopher Soos
Editing by Andrew Dickler, Jeff Renfroe
Release date(s)
20  February 2009
limited release on April 10, 2009.

Running time 90 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Official Website: www.anvilmovie.com